Doctors Group Seeks More Focus On Substance Abuse

The Massachusetts Medical Society is urging doctors to focus more attention to possible drug abuse among teenage and young adult patients.

The organization representing more than 24,000 doctors in the Bay State adopted a resolution on youth substance abuse during its annual meeting in Waltham on Saturday. It encourages primary care physicians to perform annual physical examinations on adolescents and young adults and seek an accurate history of any illegal use of drugs, including prescription drugs.

The organization also said it would advocate for more behavioral health in primary care and for in-school coordinators who can help students and families gain access to mental health services and substance abuse treatments.

State officials have reported a large spike in drug overdoses in recent months.